Recently the county has made claims that they are a sovereign entity, I am asking for your explanation as to the meaning of this claim. As I have read some of the statues relating to this claim, is quite unnerving to find that my government ( you the employer ) has the ability to change merit rules and regs at your convince, and not held accountable if not followed. Where as the employee is held accountable to follow and accept them. I hope you can clarify this miss interpretation. The following letter is being sent to many employees of volusia county, all of which are awaiting for your reply. When you do find the time to respond, I will forward your reply to all that I have sent this message to.

To all Brothers and Sisters and potential members, As all of you are aware, the county is currently trying to dismiss a lawsuit by the corrections officers. The basis of their dismissal is their claim to be a sovereign entity. Now more than ever, based on this declaration by the county, is reason enough to join and stand together with the union.To inform you of what this means is quite frightening, let me explain. The county claims since they are a sovereign entity, and they write the rules of how the employees are governed by the merit rules & regs, they are able to change them at will. They told the courts that we make the rules for employees to follow and employees are subject to the whim and discretion of the county manager on how to enforce these rules.( apparently this backed partially, by the court ruling,that was just settled, CASE NO.1999-114403 CIDL, Jan 17,2002. page 4( these policies shall serve as a guide to the administration of the personnel system of the county in keeping with the basic merit principles. The policies are not all-inclusive; FINAL DISCRETION as to the interpretation and as to the appropriate course of action concerning a particular personnel matter shall be that of the COUNTY MANAGER.) They further claim that although there are rules & regs THEY are not subject to follow them, since they wrote them, again stating, that when an employee hires on, they know they will be subject to any treatment the county sees fit to enact. Put in the simplest terms possible, I am the boss, you will do as your told and I do not have to follow the same rules, since I wrote them. ( if an employee had any infraction at all, including late for work by as little as 5 min. you could be terminated). As impossible as that may seem, that is what the law suit dismissal is about, from the county. To counter this blatant mistreatment, only a binding contract, signed by the county and the employees UNION is enforceable. Do let this happen to you, join now, let the county know that they are and will be held accountable for their actions. I hope this clarifies the counties position in so far as, THEIR RULE OVER YOU !!!. Do not let this happen, please see your union reps. for an application, let it be binding.

Thank You,
Anthony DiGregorio